Today at a Glance: Nov. 16, 2012

The House and the Senate Intelligence committees are holding closed hearings about the circumstances surrounding the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya. That attack killed four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens.

Former CIA Director David Petraeus, who resigned from the post last week amid a sex scandal, is scheduled to testify at both hearings.

The House begins consideration of a bill that would normalize trade relations with Russia and Moldova. The measure would also require reports on Russia’s compliance with its obligations as a member of the World Trade Organization. Russia joined the WTO this summer.

The House Transportation and Infrastructure panel holds a hearing to review the Transportation Department inspector general’s recommendations on Washington-area airports. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, whose district is in Northern Virginia, are scheduled to testify.

Next week, the House and the Senate are on Thanksgiving break.

The Senate is set to convene for legislative business at 2 p.m. Nov. 26. Alabama Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions will be recognized to raise a budgetary point of order on the sportsmen’s bill. At 5:30 that evening, all post-cloture time on the sportsmen’s bill will be considered expired and the Senate will hold a vote to waive the point of order. After that, the chamber will hold a final vote on the legislation.

After the sportsmen’s bill, the Senate is expected to proceed to the defense authorization measure.